Sermons on Contender:

God In The Dark

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 29, 2020

Where was God when Jesus was crucified? The divine mystery is that God provided Himself as a sacrifice for sinful man. We are humbled by this knowledge, and eternally blessed.

“From the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, ‘This man is calling ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:45-54

Denomination: Baptist

A Message For An Intellectual Age

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 9, 2020

Paul's message before the Areopagus forms the basis for a study of how to approach an intellectual audience. This knowledge is necessary if we are to succeed in presenting the Faith in the midst of our world today. This is the substance of a radio message at Easter.

“Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: ‘Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: “To the unknown god.” What therefore you worship as unknown, this ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:22-32

Denomination: Baptist

Walking Worthy Of Your Calling Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jul 10, 2020

In Ephesians 4:1–6 Paul appeals to believers to walk worthy of their high position in Jesus Christ. In describing that walk he discusses its 1) Call (Ephesians 4:1), 2) Characteristics (Ephesians 4:2-3), and its 3) Cause (Ephesians 4:4-6).

Ephesians 4:1-6 [4:1] I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, [2] with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, [3] eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6

Denomination: Other

The Mixed Multitude Among Us

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 24, 2020

Allowing unsaved individuals to provide guidance for the church invites destruction of the Faith.

“A mixed multitude also went up with them” [EXODUS 12:38a]. [1] The world is attending our services. That is the good news! The bad news is that the world is attending our services. Churches of this day tend to order services of worship of the Living God with a view of accommodating the desires ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 12:38

Denomination: Baptist

The Foundation For Worship

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 25, 2019

Study of worship as outlined in the Tenth Chapter of Hebrews.

“Since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Faithfulness Delegated Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 6, 2019

Above all, a person who handles the Lord’s money must have a heart that is right with God.

November 11, 2014 Tom Lowe The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians Lesson III.C: Faithfulness Delegated. (8:16-9:5) Part-1: When We Give By Faith. (8:16-24) Faithfulness Delegated. Part-1: When We Give By Faith. (8:16-24) Part-2: Your ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Justified? Or Judged? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 30, 2017

Is there a way for us to make ourselves acceptable to God? The Apostle Paul teaches that such a thought is an impossibility.

“We know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.” [1] “So that ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:19-20

Denomination: Baptist

Fresh Revelation? Rhema Versus Logos

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Nov 7, 2017

This message explores what the Bible says about new/fresh/special revelations and the perceived differences between 'Rhema' and 'Logos'

I often hear people say one of two things about the revelation of the Bible: that God speaks to them, or they wish God would speak to them. Those who say God speaks to them often pull the 'god card' to validate and justify something they have done, a message they have given, or the way ...read more

Scripture: John 16:12-13, 2 Peter 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20, John 1:1, 1 Corinthians 14:9, Hebrews 12:19, Hebrews 2:2, 1 Corinthians 12:8, John 14:26, Acts 4:4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Facing The Unknown Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 19, 2017

None of us know with certainty what lies ahead after we are gathered to Christ. However, Paul encourages believers to look forward, preparing ourselves for what is surely coming.

“We know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10, 2 Corinthians 5:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

The Just Shall Live By Faith

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Feb 24, 2017

To establish that the just shall live by faith and not by the observance or the works of the Law or any man's standards of righteousness. The just shall live by faith - through Jesus Christ. This lesson deals with faith and obedience in ones salvation.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. The Letter to the Romans 2. The Letter to the Galatians 3. The Letter to the Hebrews Remarks. 1. In our lesson today we are going to discuss the theme: "The Just Shall Live by Faith." This lesson will emphasize that the just shall be declared righteous by their ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:16-17, Galatians 3:11-12, Hebrews 10:38-39

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Be A Mighty Man

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 19, 2017

A study of a warrior-priest noted as one of David's mighty men with encouragement for believers to emulate his life.

“Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was a valiant man of Kabzeel, a doer of great deeds. He struck down two ariels of Moab. He also went down and struck down a lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen. And he struck down an Egyptian, a handsome man. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand, but Benaiah ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:20-23

Denomination: Baptist

Alive Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 30, 2013

What does it mean to believers to say that Christ is alive forevermore?

“[Jesus] laid his right hand on me, saying, ‘Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” [1] On one occasion, returning from a fishing trip I had stopped for gas. As the attendant filled the tank, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

Tried And Tested Series

Contributed by Pastor Gbenga Shadare on Oct 1, 2010

Tests are daunting and we all hate them. We feel terribly anxious about them. We are terrified, petrified and apprehensive whenever we are called to observe or undertake a test. We are never at our best when tests are involved. Sometimes we become indiffe

Tried and Tested by Pastor Gbenga Shadare Introduction We have a major confrontation, a lifetime challenge that as believers and God's people, we must deal with as long as we are Christians. Believers are not guaranteed a rose garden or a peace haven. We are not promised a pain-less, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 66:10-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Communion - Open, Closed, Or Cracked? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 7, 2020

Is the Communion Meal Open to all who profess Christ? Or is it overseen by the congregation hosting the meal and thus restricted to those who are in open fellowship with the assembly? The message is a study of this controversial question.

“In the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-32

Denomination: Baptist

The Root Of Immorality

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 18, 2021

A redraft of a message that was never preached due to Covid Lockdowns. The message is a call for Christians to reassess their relationship with the Lord God.

The more they increased, the more they sinned against me; I will change their glory into shame. They feed on the sin of my people; they are greedy for their iniquity. And it shall be like people, like priest; I will punish them for their ways and repay them for their deeds. They shall eat, ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 4:7-19

Denomination: Baptist